Automatic Media Filtration Systems — Self-Cleaning, No Disposable Media
Continuous gravity and paper-bed filtration engineered for industrial duty. Eliminate cartridges and bags, recover process fluid, and run unattended — from 1 micron up to 5,000.
What is media filtration?
Media filtration is a process where contaminated fluid passes through a layer of filter media — typically paper, fabric, or sand — that captures suspended solids while clarified fluid passes through. Unlike cartridges or bags, the media is continuous and self-replenishing.
K Factor automates the entire cycle. A float switch senses when the media is loaded, the system advances fresh media into place, and filtration resumes — without operator intervention, chemical backwash, or production downtime.
The hidden cost of cartridge & bag filters
Disposable filtration looks cheap on the invoice. The real cost shows up at year-end.
What you see on the invoice
- • Cartridge or bag unit cost
- • Quarterly bulk purchase order
- • Standard freight
What you don't see until year-end
- ▸ Labor hours for changeouts (10–20 per week)
- ▸ Production downtime during swaps
- ▸ Hazardous waste disposal fees
- ▸ Lost coolant or process fluid in spent elements
- ▸ Inconsistent filtration as elements load
- ▸ Warehouse space for spare inventory
K Factor media systems eliminate every line item in the right column — typically recovering their installed cost within the first year.
Five systems. One platform.
Every K Factor media filter shares the same automatic, self-cleaning operating principle — sized and configured for your application.
Standard KFF
The Flagship Automatic Media Filter
Our cornerstone filtration system — fully automatic, self-cleaning, and engineered for continuous industrial operation. Handles the toughest applications with zero operator intervention.
- Flow
- Up to 3,000 GPM
- Filtration
- 1–5,000 microns
- Materials
- Carbon or stainless steel
- Applications
- General industrial, paint lines, parts washers
CMF — Compact Media Filter
Small footprint. Full performance.
Engineered for facilities where floor space is limited. The CMF delivers automatic media filtration in a vertically stacked design without sacrificing flow capacity.
- Flow
- Up to 60 GPM
- Filtration
- to 1 micron
- Materials
- Carbon or 304 SS
- Applications
- Lathes, machining centres, parts washers
Heavy Sludge Filter
Built for high-solids loading.
When particle loads are extreme — grinding swarf, paint sludge, mill scale — the Heavy Sludge Filter handles it without clogging or short cycling.
- Flow
- Up to 1,500 GPM
- Filtration
- 10–500 microns
- Materials
- Heavy-gauge carbon or stainless
- Applications
- Grinding, machining, paint sludge
Plastic Filter
Corrosion-resistant by design.
Constructed entirely from chemically resistant polymers for plating lines, acid baths, and aggressive process chemistries that destroy steel housings.
- Flow
- Up to 400 GPM
- Filtration
- 5–200 microns
- Materials
- Polypropylene / PVC
- Applications
- Plating, etching, chemical processing
Stratus
Coolant clarity, continuously.
Purpose-built for coolant and metalworking fluid recovery. Extends fluid life, reduces tramp oils, and delivers cleaner parts off the line.
- Flow
- Up to 800 GPM
- Filtration
- 1–50 microns
- Materials
- Stainless steel
- Applications
- Machining coolant, cutting fluids
How it works — the 5-step cycle
The same automatic operating sequence runs on every K Factor media filter.
Inlet diffuser distributes contaminated fluid
Dirty process fluid enters through a top header that gently spreads flow across the full width of the media bed — preventing channeling and ensuring uniform cake build.
Gravity flow & cake build
Fluid passes through the disposable paper media by gravity. Solids accumulate as a filter cake on top, while clarified fluid drops to the clean reservoir below.
Float senses saturation
As the cake builds, flow restricts and the fluid level above the bed rises. A float switch detects the high-level condition — no operator monitoring required.
Media advances automatically
The drive motor indexes the paper media forward, carrying the spent filter cake off the bed and presenting fresh media in its place. Filtration resumes immediately.
Sludge collection & disposal
Spent media and filter cake drop into a sludge hopper for easy removal — typically a roll-out cart or conveyor. No backflushing, no chemicals, no downtime.
Industries served
Deployed across the US, Canada, and the Gulf — wherever process fluid needs to be clarified, recovered, or recycled.
Automotive
Paint pretreatment, parts washers
Pulp & Paper
Mill water clarification
Food & Beverage
Process water, CIP recovery
Chemical
Plating & process chemistries
Industrial Laundry
Wash water reclamation
Wire Drawing
Lubricant filtration
General Machining
Coolant & cutting fluids
Coatings
E-coat & paint booth water
Replacement filter media
Stocked rolls for every K Factor system — and most competitor systems too.
| Grade | Micron rating | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Fine | 1–5 µ | Polishing, final clarity |
| Medium | 10–25 µ | Coolants, parts washers |
| Heavy | 40–100 µ | High-solids pre-filtration |
| Chemical-resistant | Various | Acid, alkali, solvent service |
Materials available
- Cellulose paper rolls
- Polyester non-woven
- Polypropylene non-woven
- Glass fibre composite
- Custom widths & weights
- Cross-reference any competitor roll
Cross-reference offer
Bring us your competitor's roll dimensions — we'll match or improve on price and spec.
Why K Factor outperforms
Four reasons engineers across North America have specified K Factor since 1988.
On-site partnership
We commission, train, and tune in your facility — not a phone-only handoff.
Documented quality system
Every system built to a documented quality management standard since 1988.
Application-specific engineering
Sized for your flow, fluid chemistry, and solids loading — not a catalog SKU.
Replacement media supply
Stocked rolls in standard and custom sizes, shipped from North America.
Not sure if it will work in your process?
Run a K Factor system in your facility for 30 days. We commission it on-site, you evaluate it under real production conditions, and if the numbers don't justify the investment, we take it back. No invoice. No obligation.